I will not drown

 Isaiah 43:2: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you"

Lately, I feel like I have been drowning, but I recall God's words and rise back up to the surface.  Mind you, I can't swim, but God gives me the ability to float.  It is during these times when I feel overwhelmed, that I stop seeking perfection.  I realize my limitations and I give it all to God.  

I remember that I am not alone and I climb into the boat of my Father who commands the winds, rains, and rivers.  I pray His word and let the panic cease.  I rest in Him and know that He will lead me to safety, to dry ground.  I hold on tight to Him because he is with me.

He is with me in the storm and when the waters flood He will not let them overtake me.  He is my guard, the guardian of my life.  He is my hope.  

Jesus, thank You for being my refuge.  Thank You for Your word that reminds me of your promises to me.  Thank You for the life -preserver of  Your grace and mercy.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Strength for the weary

 but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint. ~Isaiah 40:31 CSB

I'm tired.  I missed a night of sleep and I can't seem to get caught up.  I want to "phone" it in, but I have responsibilities.  How do I get through this weariness? Its physical, but it is impeding on the mental and spiritual.  How do I stay motivated? How do I stay invested so that I can carry my cross? How do I keep my joy?

 I recall where my strength comes from.  My strength comes from the Lord.  As I hope in Him and live in expectation of Him, He will renew my strength.  He will touch my mind and make it strong.  He is my motivation to work as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24).  If I focus on Him and not my circumstance, I overcome through Christ Jesus.

He will allow me to finish the race.  He will breathe air into my lungs. lifting my spirit as I draw nigh to Him.  He will cause me soar.  He will give me the victory.  I just have to trust and believe knowing I will receive what He has promised.  God never fails and He never leaves me wanting.  He is the Good Shepherd and He guides me through the day.  He is my strength.

Lord, thank You for knowing what I need and supplying that need.  Thank You for renewing my strength.  Thank You for being my motivation and compass point when I become weary.  I love you Lord. In Jesus name.  Amen

A soft heart

 As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” ~Hebrews 3:15

Lord, soften my heart and open my ears to You.  Let me hear You and obey.  In Jesus name. Amen

I started off with a prayer today because this is the intent of my heart.  I want to be steadfast in my faith so that I can enter God's rest(Hebrews 4:10).  I have come to far to turn back now.  I have been on the journey to long and God has been to good to me for me to lay down my tools just yet.

I need to still away with Jesus.  I need to calm my mind and my heart so that I can be in rhythm with His. I want to hear His voice.  I want to go where He wants me to go and do what He wants me to do.  I do not want to be stubborn, prideful, or rebellious because I know He has planned what is best for me.

So Father, hear the call of my heart to be in Your presence abiding in You.  In Jesus name. Amen

A Big God

 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. ~ Isaiah 6:1

Yesterday, something touched me in my devotional reading.  I had to reflect on if I am making God small?  My response is that I serve a big God.  I serve a magnificent Savior.  I serve a God who created the heavens and the earth, yet still knows my name.

I serve a God who walks and talks with me.  A God who grants me favor in all types of circumstances.  A God where nothing and no one can compare. He is high and lifted up.  He fills all existence and I stand in awe of Him.  He is my z lord and my King and I magnify His holy name.

Lord, thank You for being God.  Thank You for being bigger than any storm, problem, or circumstance.  Thank You for being Holy.  I love You Lord.  In Jesus name. Amen

When your happy gets bumped

 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ~1 Peter 5;6

My happy has gotten bumped by the cares of this world.  I am grumpy and want to go home and put the covers over my head.  Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately my job does not allow me to do this.  My stubbornness to get through the day helps a bit too.  I search my mind for a word from God that will see me through.  This is what came to mind.  "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. "

I must stay humble under God's mighty hand.  I have to look for the beauty in the day that He has blessed me with.  I can talk to God about it knowing that He cares (1 Peter 5:7) and I have to let it go.  I need to get happy in Christ.  God will lift me up in due time.  I just need to persevere.  I need to run into His awaiting arms and climb up onto His lap and feel His presence surround me.  I have to let go of the grumpy-give it to God.  Do my job and do it well.  He will work out the rest as I trust in Him.

Lord, You know my my needs; my stress points.  Let me give them all to You and stay humble and grateful for another day.  Let me stand in the center of Your will.  I surrender all.  In Jesus name. Amen

Live Free

 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. ~Romans 6:18

In my First 5 Bible Study we have been studying about exile. One particular exile was when the kingdom of Israel rebel against God so they were taken into captivity by the Assyrians (2 Kings 17:1-23).  The people of God who had been set free from slavery in Egypt were now going back into captivity because they disobeyed God.  They worshipped idols and false Gods.  

This God me thinking.....do I go back into slavery when God has set me free? God has saved me from sin, He has set me free.  So I need to be careful that I am not setting up idols in my life and following the ways of the world.  I can learn from the Israelites and choose blessings over curses.

Another thought was Jesus and His grace and mercy.  The punishment of Israel served the purpose of turning them back to God.  Their are consequences for my sin, but their is also forgiveness because of Jesus.  He paid the price for my sins.  By no means does this mean that I rush into sin, but rather when I fall because I am human I have a Savior who lifts me up and cleans me up.  I want to live in the freedom that Jesus has purchased for me with His life.  I want to walk in obedience and faith with my King.

Lord, thank You for freeing me from sin.  May I be a willing slave to righteousness.  May I be example for others as I follow You.   May I remove any idols that I set up in my life and worship only You.  In Jesus name.  Amen

You can make it

  The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”  ~ 1 Kings 19:11

Elijah was a prophet who reached a breaking point ( 1 Kings 19:3-5)  He wanted God to take his life.  He just done battle with the false prophets of Jezebel and with the Lord's help was victorious. Jezebel wanted to take his life so Elijah ran.  He felt depleted and was in despair.  I have felt this way, depleted and in despair.  A gray cloud envelopes me, but God.  Like God did for Elijah, he does for me.  He meets me where I am at and provides nourishment and strength. (1 Kings 19: 5-8).

God does not condemn me or shame me for my feelings of depression or despair.  He does not make me feel bad for being weary.  Rather He loves me and just tends to my needs.  He tells me me to enter into His presence.  A gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12).  A softness covers me and I know it is the Lord.  It is here that I can tell Him my troubles and He listens, but He does not let me wallow. He gives me the support I need to defeat the enemy.  He lets me know that I am not alone. ( 1 Kings 19:15-19).

God is good and gracious and His compassion fails not (Lamentations 3:22).  When I feel like I might drown, He reminds me that the water s will not overtake me ( Isaiah 43:2)  It is the Lord who is my strength and sunshine on the cloudy days. Being in His presence gives me strength and covers me in love and I am grateful.

Lord, thank You for examples in Your word that show us how to get through difficult emotions and feelings of weariness.  Thank you for being my strength when I am weak.  Thank You for being my consolation and comfort.  Thank You for being my friend.  In Jesus name Amen.